The only reply to this was a cheer from the men, and, what was quite unexpected, a sudden click of pistols as they drew up in two lines across the deck. "Look'ee here, Mr Adrian," said Callan, "we're not the fools you take us for. While you have been drinking, we have not been idle. The powder-magazine is ours, and the forward guns are loaded and primed and turned this way.--Stand aside, lads, and let them see for themselves." The ranks opened, and sure enough in the forecastle we could see the muzzles of two twenty-four pounders pointed at the quarter-deck, and manned by some of the very men of whose loyalty until yesterday there had been least question. Lieutenant Adrian, although a bully and a brute, was not lacking in animal courage, and betrayed no sign of dismay at this discovery. "If you think we are to be frightened, hang you," said he, "you are much mistaken. What is it you want?" A coarse laugh greeted this tame ending to his speech. One old tar put himself forward before Callan could reply. "It's like this," said he, with a salute. "We mean no disrespect to the captain or the service, but--" "Hold your tongue," said Callan, pushing him aside.--"What do we want? That's easy told." And he took a paper from his pocket and read:-- "_First_. The first lieutenant, the third lieutenant, the master, the master's mate, the boatswain, and Midshipmen Gamble and Brock, to leave the ship and be put ashore. "_Second_. The ship to be taken to the Nore, and placed under the orders of Admiral Parker. "_Third_. The remaining officers either to take the oath or be placed under arrest. "_Fourth_. Two delegates, chosen by the men, to attend the admiral's council, and act and vote on behalf of the ship." Lieutenant Adrian listened with an ill-concealed smile, in which, I confess, he was by no means alone. "And what if we reject your precious first, second, third, and fourth piece of infernal impudence?" "Then we shall take what we want without asking," replied Callan with cool effrontery. "You may take an hour to decide.--Come, boys." The men gave another cheer, and retired singing "Rule, Britannia." They left, however, a strongly-armed picket to cut off access from the quarter-deck to the rest of the ship. The night was still dead calm, and the _Zebra_ lay like a log in the sea, her sails drooping, and her head swinging idly with the tide. "Well?" inquired one or two, looking at Lieutenant Adrian. "Well?" retorted that officer. "If you want to know what I intend to do, I mean to drink a bottle of port below. There is but one answer to give, and nothing to discuss. So you may fetch me in an hour." "Shall we tell the captain?" asked Mr Felton, the second lieutenant, who, if he had only been superior to Mr Adrian, would have seen us through the crisis with more credit than we were likely to get.